I love her son's column! Thanks for posting, pp!

Her son writes for the WSJ.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304537904577275683631110396.html

She wasn't as flattering as you think.

"Her regular readers read between the lines. If she writes more about the décor than the food, you might want to eat somewhere else."

So with all this disdain, why does Olive Garden have a gigantic wait even in the middle of the afternoon? My daughter begged me to go after seeing the ads on TV and we had to drive half an hour to Columbia to even get to one and had to wait half an hour for a table. I thought it was OK but not worth going to again.

She is 85.

Sorry, I will only admit it on an anonymous forum, but I love their salads!

DCUM went pretty easy on the old gal.

Aw, I think it's sweet. I loved this line:

All in all, it is the largest and most beautiful restaurant now operating in Grand Forks. It attracts visitors from out of town as well as people who live here.

And 11:46, I think she mentioned the olives because it's called Olive Garden.

Anonymous wrote:You know, this makes me feel kind of sad, instead of inclined to be snarky.

I know. I'm the OP and I really just ha knee jerk snark reaction at first. But after reflection, I see the midwestern beauty of he damning the place with faint praise. It is a hilariously wonderful thing to do. I also have realized we are just as ridiculous on the east coast, lining up of 5Guys or some oter such diner grade hamburger that would hardly cause a stir in Fargo. She really nailed it when she refused the lemonade, though.

You know, this makes me feel kind of sad, instead of inclined to be snarky.

My favorite line:

"She first brought me the familiar Olive Garden salad bowl with crisp greens, peppers, onion rings and yes — several black olives."

Black olives? Such a delicacy in North Dakota? Ohh-la-la!

On the plus side, North Dakota has the lowest unemployment rate in the nation and quite good schools. My husband grew up in ND, though, and still wakes in a cold sweat from dreams where he has ended up back in Minot.

If ever find myself in an Olive Garden in North Dakota, I can promise you I'm getting somethin stronger than lemonade.

OP here ok well maybe I just love that her midwestern manners would not allow her to directly insult the place and that she refused to even drink their lemonade.

Or reason #elebenty-billion why I have to live in an urban center: http://www.grandforksherald.com/event/article/id/231419/

"After a lengthy wait for Olive Garden to open in Grand Forks, the lines were long in February. The novelty is slowly wearing off, but the steady following attests the warm welcome.

My first visit to Olive Garden was during midafternoon, so I could be sure to get in. After a late breakfast, I figured a late lunch would be fashionable.

The place is impressive. It’s fashioned in Tuscan farmhouse style with a welcoming entryway. There is seating for those who are waiting. My booth was near the kitchen, and I watched the waiters in white shirts, ties, black trousers and aprons adorned with gold-colored towels. They were busy at midday, punching in orders and carrying out bread and pasta.

It had been a few years since I ate at the older Olive Garden in Fargo, so I studied the two manageable menus offering appetizers, soups and salads, grilled sandwiches, pizza, classic dishes, chicken and seafood and filled pastas.

At length, I asked my server what she would recommend. She suggested chicken Alfredo, and I went with that. Instead of the raspberry lemonade she suggested, I drank water.
She drank water. Can I just say, that she looks like my mother.